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3M's offer to acquire security services company Cogent Inc. for $943 million will add a new business to the Minnesota company and presumably help to fuel its future growth.

Yet, at a time of high unemployment and heated debate about the role of immigration in U.S., the purchase also highlights the continuing contribution of immigrants to the American economy. Founder Ming Hsieh hails from China, and built one of the largest U.S. companies in the security niche, providing services to key government agencies involved in national security. Based on yesterday's offer price and his 41% shareholding stake cited in Cogent's latest annual report, his fortune is worth $389 million.

Notably, in the best of American tradition, Cogent's founder has been generous with his wealth. For instance, he gave $35 million to the University of Southern California's electrical engineering department in 2006, according to a newsletter published by the Committee of 100, a Chinese-American group. Ronnie Chan, a USC trustee, said in 2008: “America taught Ming to express his entrepreneurship, and he has done that superbly, but more important, America has taught him to give back to society and to give back generously,” said Chan.

In 1990 founded Cogent, one of the largest U.S. fingerprint-recognition businesses. Earned 2 degrees from the University of Southern California before entrepreneurial plunge. Long U.S. customer list includes: the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the U.S. Marines.